I’m sure many (even those who are philosophically opposed to patents) do. It’s an unfortunate fact that things that are bad aren’t necessarily unprofitable. Which is why we need to take the option to get software patents off the table, the market isn’t going to do this on its own.
Curious: Would you spend millions of dollars in research if your know it will be copied and you won't be able to make a dime back?
What startup spends millions of dollars in research? And if the patentable is so easy to copy, it should not be patentable.
Startups in medtech, biotech, or advanced materials, among others.